(December 17, 1925-May 16, 2016)
Born in Boston, Massachusetts
Television spokeswoman
Famous as Lincoln and Mercury Girl for the Ford Motor Company
Promoted the cars in live commercial spots, usually on The Ed Sullivan Show
Appeared in televised promos for Hudnut hair products, Life magazine, Kodak cameras, and gas-related applicances
Appeared on Broadway in 'Roman Candle (1960),' 'The Tender Trap (1962),' 'Mary, Mary (1962),' and 'The Front Page (1969)'
Appeared in the films 'Tammy Tell Me True,' 'Pillow Talk,' 'Zotz!' and 'Presumed Innocent'

Why she might be annoying

She acted on Ryan's Hope.
She said: 'I tackle commercials as though I were playing the queen in Hamlet.'
She was basically the original 'Infomercial lady,' paving the way for more obnoxious successors like Cathy Mitchell.
She parlayed her fame as a television pitch lady to an acting career - with varying success.
She shot the first Corrective ad for television after the FTC accused Profile Bread's parent company (Continental Baking) of false advertising. In the ad, she stated that Profile Bread had no fewer calories than other Bread, 'but was sliced thinner.'

Why she might not be annoying

She graduated from the Yale School of Drama.
She was voted 'favorite salesgirl' by TV Guide magazine.
She won the Sarah Siddons Award for her performance in 'Mary, Mary' in the 1962 to 1963 season.
She found success in the late 60s and 70s as the host of several syndicated programs in which she answered letters from viewers about family matters ('Ask Julia Meade,' 'Julia Meade and Friends').
When asked about her unique celebrity as a spokesperson, she said: 'Fans don’t tear my clothes off or try to take a lock of my hair home to Junior. They stop me in the street mostly just to say hello — and that testifies that I can do something well. That’s all I ever wanted.'